Khlong Prao Beach

Ko Chang is so big, we’ve split it up into areas, select one of the below for detailed accommodation and food listings in that area. Sights and general overviews for Ko Chang as a whole can be found via the icons above. Don’t know where to start? Read an overview of Ko Chang’s different areas.

Accommodation

Beautiful Khlong Prao beach spans for several kilometres and offers everything from cheap old huts to honeymoon-worthy villas. Some of our favourites are located on and around a pair of estuaries that cut inland from the beach's southern and central stretches. To the north sprawls the tranquil Chai Chet, which is a favourite of families.

Central Khlong Prao

Some excellent accommodation is clustered along the languid water of Khlong Prao estuary itself, from where the beach is reachable via a short stroll or kayak ride. This section also covers the best accommodation found on the exceptional northern stretch of Khlong Prao beach, and the side road to Khlong Plu Waterfall.

Set in a restored fisherman's house that's perched directly over the estuary, this intimate five-room guesthouse is one of the best on the island. Guests enter through a wooden walkway that stands on stilts over a shady cluster of mangroves and is lined with hanging orchids. The walkway ends at a spacious roofed wooden deck with tables, benches, hammocks and a book exchange, which merges into a... Read our full review of Baan Rim Nam.

Nestled along the estuary within sight of a phenomenal beach, Aana is one of the most stylish and soothing resorts on Ko Chang. It also happens to be one of the most affordable, with good deals on luxury accommodation. All rooms successfully aim for a Japanese-inspired minimalist style, with soft wood, bamboo and white cotton features. Soft beds with high quality linens are placed on understated... Read our full review of Aana Resort.

Set at the point where Khlong Prao estuary meets the sea, this nondescript resort enjoys both the tranquility of the mangrove-lined canal and direct access to a phenomenal beach. The half-dozen or so beach houses are unassuming -- no swimming pool or well groomed tropical gardens here -- and that's exactly how the owner wants to keep it. Along with nearby Klong Prao Seafood Restaurant, he also... Read our full review of Koh Chang Longstay Resort.

If you're seeking a basic hut on a beautiful beach that doesn't host thumping parties every night, you can't beat KP. We felt that it's a step up in friendliness and atmosphere from its better-known neighbour, Tiger Huts. Wooden beachfront bungalows stand high on stilts and boast striped paint jobs with funky colours. These have front decks that are big enough for a small dance party and are no... Read our full review of KP Huts.

Named after its welcoming English owner, Moley's is a good choice for those seeking an intimate guesthouse experience that doesn't sacrifice comfort and scenery. The former fisherman's house is set on stilts on the north side of the estuary, a short kayak ride from the beach. If kayaks aren't your thing, try out the motorised floating picnic table (MFPC), which was designed and built by Moley... Read our full review of Moley's.

An offshoot of neighbouring Phu-Talay Seafood Restaurant on the north side of the estuary, Baan Talay has the refreshing feel of a seaside cottage. Only a handful of rooms are set in a revamped two-storey house with hardwood floors and pastel blue trim to compliment flush white walls. Smart rooms are spacious, comfortable, clean and well equipped with air-con, small LCD TVs, soft beds, fridges... Read our full review of Baan Talay.

Situated a few kilometres from the beach along the tranquil side road that ends at Khlong Phlu Waterfall, this tiny resort is a good choice for those seeking a quiet spot to unwind or perhaps focus on that art or writing project. The pinkish-orange concrete villas are set well apart from one another on a hillside that rambles down to a forested streambed. The rooms are spacious, with a circular... Read our full review of The Artist Resort.

Chai Chet

Chai Chet is generally clumped together with Khlong Prao, but it actually lies some two kilometres north of Khlong Prao canal and is only a few kilometres south of Haad Sai Khao. Though the main drag is nothing special, the beach is spectacular. All of the accommodation here is midrange to upscale; look further south for the cheap huts.

Nestled into the peninsula that shelters the far northern end of the beach, this popular midrange resort has fully graduated from its old name of Chai Chet Bungalows. At time of writing, the prices had not gone up for over five years, and the value is among the best you'll find on the island for a true beach resort. Ringed by a regiment of elephant fountains, countless loungers, chill salas, a... Read our full review of Chai Chet Resort .

The long-running Paradise might not have the catchiest name, but it continues to deliver quality high-end accommodation with friendly service on a beautiful beach. Unlike many of Ko Chang's newer upscale resorts, all of Paradise's rooms come in the form of detached villas -- so no ugly concrete blocks. It's easy to lose yourself in the maze of footpaths that wind through lush greenery from villa... Read our full review of Koh Chang Paradise Resort.

Southern Khlong Prao

The southern stretch of Khlong Prao beach retains its powdery white sand, which is cut off at one point by a second estuary spanned by a floating footbridge behind Tropicana Resort and in front of Blue Lagoon. This area has a decent selection of restaurants along the main road, and isn't too far from Kai Bae to the south.

Nestled along the estuary after which it's named, Blue Lagoon enjoys one of the best locations on Ko Chang. Follow the canal's deep emerald water along a sandy path for 100 metres through the mangroves and you emerge onto a fantastic stretch of beach. The bungalows make the most of this stunning setting; even the most affordable fan rooms are blessed with concertina doors opening to spacious... Read our full review of Blue Lagoon.

Occupying a massive area that borders Blue Lagoon, we preferred Tropicana over nearby Barali, Emerald Lagoon and The Dewa thanks to its less pretentious attitude, and the fact that rooms come just two per building rather than dozens stuffed into hotel blocks. Winding wooden bridges lead over streams that run past mature tropical gardens. A large swimming pool with separate kids pool and... Read our full review of Centara Koh Chang Tropicana Resort .

A short stroll inland from Blue Lagoon brings you to this small but effective bungalow operation run by a youthful Thai/European crew and their skittish little dogs. They offer a short string of spacious blue concrete bungalows accessed by a single footpath and kept semi-private by bountiful flower bushes. Rooms don't burst with character, but they're clean, comfortable and well equipped with... Read our full review of Green Space Bungalows .

The main drag through Khlong Prao offers a handful of affordable places to stay, but we questioned the value of places like 3 Seasons and Garden Hill, which have air-con rooms for no less money than you'll pay closer to the beach. Let's face it -- the main drag is no picture postcard setting. One spot that did stick out however was Jungle View, a solid choice for budgeteers seeking dirt-cheap... Read our full review of Jungle View.